The charity is encouraging snake owners to be especially mindful and to verify that the animals’ enclosures are safely secured
Last year, there were 28 snake associated occurrences reported to the RSPCA in West Yorkshire.
RSPCA senior clinical officer Evie Button said: “Snakes are excellent escape artists and will take the opportunity of a gap in an enclosure door, or a loose-fitting lid to make a break for it.
“Last year, we took more than one thousand reports about snakes, with the highest number of calls coming in during the summer months. This is not surprising, as snakes become more active during hot weather – so as the UK continues to swelter this summer, we’re braced for another influx of calls.
“The RSPCA urges all pet snake owners to be extra vigilant at this time of year, invest in an enclosure suitable for the particular species and make sure that enclosure is kept secure – and locked if necessary – when unattended.
“We received nearly 1.1 million calls to our emergency line in 2022 – an increase of 1.6 per cent on the previous year, and our frontline officers are flat out trying to rescue animals that may be in life-threatening situations.
“So a few extra minutes checking that your snake is secure could help save our officers’ time and allow them to save an animal that’s in danger.”
Another reason more snakes leave in the summer season is that some owners take them outside to make the most of the natural sunshine.
While sunshine benefits reptiles, the RSPCA advises owners to guarantee that their animal is kept secure when doing so, as they can heat up and move really rapidly on a warm day.
Evie said: “Many of the snakes the RSPCA’s officers are called to collect are thought to be escaped pets.
“But sadly, we also have to deal with a lot of abandoned snakes. We find that many people are unaware of how much of a commitment these animals are when they take them on, which we believe contributes to the hundreds of animals every year who have sadly been abandoned when their owners can no longer meet their needs.
“Exotic pets such as snakes often end up in the RSPCA’s care after people realise they’re not easy to care for, or the novelty wears off. Others are rescued after they have been abandoned or been released on purpose, which then could pose a risk to our native wildlife.
“The needs of reptiles can be challenging to meet because they are just the same as they would be in the wild and are fundamentally linked to certain behaviours, diets or environmental conditions that can be difficult to replicate in a domestic environment.
“The RSPCA urges prospective owners of reptiles such as snakes to thoroughly research the needs of the particular species and what is required in the care of the animal, using expert sources. People should only consider keeping a snake if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for these needs.”
Snakes are entirely depending on their owners for the proper accommodation, heating, lighting and feed, all of which should duplicate their wild environment as carefully as possible to keep them healthy and enable them to express their typical behaviour. Without correct care they can struggle with major illness, dehydration, injuries, parasites, and in serious cases or if left unattended, they can ultimately pass away.
Most unique animals kept as family pets are not likely to be able to make it through in the wild in Britain and non-native types might posture a major hazard to our native wildlife. It is unlawful to launch, or to enable to leave, any types that are not typically belonging to the UK.
If anybody discovers a snake they think is non-native the RSPCA’s recommendations is to keep a safe range, keep an eye on the snake and call the charity’s helpline on 0300 1234 999 or a regional reptile charity will likewise have the ability to help.
For more details on what to think about prior to embracing a snake, go to the RSPCA’s website.
If anybody loses a snake there are a variety of lost and discovered animal sites where information can be logged, consisting of Animal Search. It is possible to microchip snakes and the RSPCA would suggest that owners ask their exotics veterinarian to do this, so that snakes can be quickly reunited if lost and discovered.
